Tribute Assembly in Honor of HH Pramukh Swami Maharaj, Bahrain

Photo Gallery

Bahrain paid loving homage to His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj. It was for the first time the nation was honouring a Hindu sadhu in such a public function. Under the auspices of the Prime Minister and the patronage of the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, the event, Timeless Tribute - Celebrating the Life and Legacy of His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj, was held on Sunday, 2 October 2016 at the prestigious Isa Cultural Centre. It was indeed a mark of respect and love that Bahrain cherishes for Swamishri that despite it being an official holiday and the Islamic New Year, many senior Bahraini leaders, both from the Government and society, remained present for this event which was attended by over 650 people from all walks of life. His Excellency Jameel al Humaidan, the Minister of Labour and Social Development, and the chief patron of the event was deeply touched by the assembly. He also took a keen interest in the exhibition on Pramukh Swami Maharaj's positive impact on individuals and society.

Pramukh Swami Maharaj had a special relationship with Bahrain. He had visited Bahrain three times and developed warm ties with the leaders of the country. He shared a personal rapport with the Late Amir Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa and the Prime Minister, HRH Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. Both, His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the Crown Prince HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa are deeply appreciative of the love, harmony and peace that Swamishri has spread worldwide.

Pujya Brahmavihari Swami opened the evening’s tributes, “It is apt that we should be holding this tribute on October 2, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi because Pramukh Swami embodied the message of Gandhi in his life - that love alone can bring peace to the world…Pramukh Swami's teaching of love for all, harmony and service to others is also at the core of the vision of Bahrain's leaders and makes the Kingdom a beacon of hope in our world today."

Dr. Abdulrahman Bu Ali addressed the audience in Arabic and in English, saying that “Bahrain has lost a great friend”. He called Pramukh Swami Maharaj “an advocate for high humanitarian values”.

The assembled Bahraini and Indian speakers who had met Pramukh Swami Maharaj during his visits and had been deeply changed by him also spoke movingly about how they remembered him. Poet Hassan Kamal read out his poems about Pramukh Swami Maharaj in Arabic and called him a world leader of peace.

The Indian Ambassador H.E. Alok Kumar Sinha made a special visit to the Cultural Centre in the morning of that day and inaugurated the photo gallery exhibition about the life and legacy of Pramukh Swami Maharaj.

The serene evening, suffused with the peace of Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s memories, ended with a pushpanjali (floral tribute) to him.